Details
This piece features not only one, but TWO, solid, precious opals, both from the famed Lightning Ridge mines in Australia. The top Opal is a black one with indigo and blue-green play of color and the large drop is a translucent blue-grey jelly with ethereal green, blue and purple play of color. The gemstone on the necklace are Aquamarine, Apatite, Tanzanite, and Sapphire beads.
I will make this necklace any length you want, up to 25 inches at no extra cost, (choose your length from the drop down menu). The lobster clasp and extender chain are sterling silver.
All of my centerpieces and gem beads are natural earth-mined stones.
The settings are made of tiny, glass seed beads, which are hand-stitched, one bead to the next, with a fine beading needle, using a heavy 6 lb test-strength, spun, braided, nylon beading thread. There are multiple plies of this thread in every bead! I start making a netting to form the back side of the bezel, and then, while holding the stone in place, I stitch one bead at a time around the perimeter of the cabochon, slowly building the beaded bezel, tailor fitted to each unique gemstone, until it is encased. My beadwork is NOT attached to the stone (no glue), just surrounding it, like a well fitted basket.
The straps are strung on cable, which is made of 21-49 strands of stainless steel microwire, coated with nylon to protect it from abrasion, rated at a 10 lb test strength.
When you look at these, bear in mind, I am NOT a photographer. I guarantee this is prettier in person!! (Everyone tells me so! :D) I took these pics in natural daylight.
Let me know if you have any questions.